Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Has anyone else ever felt like they need to reinvent themselves? I've had this feeling for a little bit. Mainly that what I have been doing to be successful the past year isn't what is required any more, that I need to perfect new skills and focuses. I've always considered myself good at change, and able to deal with ambiguity, but lately I've been short fused (and I assume not too fun to be around). Sorry, Jane!

There are those out there that believe you can never really reinvent your true self, but can only work harder at showing and proving the parts of your life you choose to. I'm not too sure of the science behind it, but Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdmon for Complex Lives via Google tells me there are 5 steps to reinvent myself.

Sit quietly, close your eyes, and imagine the people, places, or situations that you need to leave behind. Now imagine the future that you want, whether it’s simply a feeling, a group of people, or a situation such as a wonderful new job.

Imagine how it will feel to be in that new place. Picture the sun coming up behind your future, the warm glow of the light on your face.

Stand for a moment and silently voice your appreciation of everything that came before. Once you’ve thanked the past, turn towards the sun, and with compassion and gratitude, imagine yourself walking away from the past and into the future.

2. Write about your reinvention.

Imagine a scene from it, or write about how you’d like it to play out. Where are you living? What do you do in the mornings, afternoon, evenings? Who are your friends? What do you spend your days doing?

Continue writing for as long as this exercise feels invigorating and exciting. Write scenes, dialogues, lists, plans. Make the future come alive. Write about how it will feel to be there. Keep your writing somewhere where you will look at it occasionally. Feel free to add to it.

3. Surround yourself with visual reminders of the life you’d like to create.

If it’s a new job in a particular field, put objects or images from that field someplace where you’ll see them every day. If it’s a home, find a picture of a house that you love and put it near your front door. It can be anything that reminds you of what you’re moving toward.

4. Now that you have a vision of your future, break it up into workable tasks.

What do you need to do—every day—to create that vision? Look for work? Meet new people? Search for a place to live in your chosen town? Make it specific. Make a list of everything you need to do and a schedule for when you’ll do it. Then do it and commit to keep doing it, one day at a time.

5. Every day, go back to that vision of you walking towards your future.

Every morning or evening, close your eyes, and see yourself walking into the rising sun, towards your dreams, and reconnect with why you’re moving toward this new possibility.

What do you think? Would you add or change anything?

Here is my motivation for reinventing myself.

I imagine in this picture he's saying "Whats the big deal Dad? Why do you keep saying my name and snapping your fingers?" Haha.

Man, I love this kid. Doesn't it look like he has 'judging' eyes? Takes after Daddy and Mommy.

Tales of Joe and Jane...

Joe and Rebecca (Jane) met while attending college in West Tennessee. Soon after meeting they were smitten with each other. After Joe graduated and moved to Atlanta for work Joe and Jane married and Jane moved to Atlanta. Soon after Jane graduated from college she was accepted to medical school. Joe and Jane moved to start her medical education. Then Joe knocked Jane up and this is where our tales begin.